, Endeavours to procure his father's
sandals, which he wears ONCE A YEAR, on the anniversary of his
father's death, until a fit opportunity offers of revenging his
fate, when the object of his resentment seldom escapes his pursuit.
This fierce and unrelenting disposition is, however, counterbalanced
by many good qualities: they display the utmost gratitude and
affection towards their benefactors, and the fidelity with which
they preserve whatever is entrusted to them is remarkable. During
the present war, they have more than once taken up arms to defend
our merchant vessels from French privateers; and English property of
considerable value has frequently been left at Vintain for a long
time entirely under the care of the Feloops, who have uniformly
manifested on such occasions the strictest honesty and punctuality.
How greatly is it to be wished that the minds of a people so
determined and faithful could be softened and civilised by the mild
and benevolent spirit of Christianity!
The Jaloffs (or Yaloffs) are an active, powerful, and warlike race,
inhabiting great part of that tract which lies between the river
Senegal and the Mandingo states on the Gambia; yet they differ from
the Mandingoes not only in language, but likewise in complexion and
features. The noses of the Jaloffs are not so much depressed, nor
the lips so protuberant, as among the generality of Africans; and
although their skin is of the deepest black, they are considered by
the white traders as the most sightly negroes on this part of the
continent.
Their language is said to be copious and significant, and is often
learnt by Europeans trading to Senegal.
The Foulahs (or Pholeys), such of them at least as reside near the
Gambia, are chiefly of a tawny complexion, with soft silky hair, and
pleasing features. They are much attached to a pastoral life, and
have introduced themselves into all the kingdoms on the windward
coast as herdsmen and husbandmen, paying a tribute to the sovereign
of the country for the lands which they hold. Not having many
opportunities, however, during my residence at Pisania, of improving
my acquaintance with these people, I defer entering at large into
their character until a fitter occasion occurs, which will present
itself when I come to Bondou.
The Mandingoes, of whom it remains to speak, constitute, in truth,
the bulk of the inhabitants in all those districts of Africa which I
visited; and their language, with a few exceptions, is universally
understood and very generally spoken in that part of the continent.
They are called Mandingoes, I conceive, as having originally
migrated from the interior state of Manding, of which some account
will hereafter be given.
In every considerable town there is a chief magistrate, called the
alkaid, whose office is hereditary, and whose business it is to
preserve order, to levy duties on travellers, and to preside at all
conferences in the exercise of local jurisdiction and the
administration of justice.
